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UPSC Notes

Defence Indigenisation and Self-Reliance

PYQs

8

Articles

1

Momentum

21

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

This policy is critical for national security, economic growth, technological advancement, and India's strategic autonomy. It reflects the government's vision for a self-reliant India and impacts various sectors, including manufacturing, R&D, and international relations.

India's defence indigenisation policy, a cornerstone of the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' initiative, aims to reduce reliance on foreign military imports, foster domestic manufacturing capabilities, boost defence exports, and enhance strategic autonomy. It involves significant government investment in R&D, procurement reforms, and private sector participation.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

Domestic Defence Production Growth

Increased from ₹46,000 crore (2014) to ₹1.78 lakh crore (2025-26).

Defence Exports Surge

Rose from ₹686 crore (2013-14) to ₹38,424 crore (2025-26), with a target of ₹50,000 crore by 2029.

Increased Defence Budget

Grew to ₹7.85 lakh crore (2026-27), with capital expenditure at ₹2.19 lakh crore.

R&D Allocation Boost

Increased by 90% to ₹29,100 crore.

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaIndian Economy

Reference table

Institutions & roles

BodyRole
Ministry of DefenceImplements
Defence Acquisition CouncilFormulates policy/approves procurement
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis

Prelims angle: Conceptual understanding

Quick revision

  • Core of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' for strategic autonomy.
  • Significant growth in domestic production and exports.
  • Increased defence budget, capital expenditure, and R&D.
  • Focus on procurement reforms and indigenisation.
  • Technological advancements (e.g., hypersonic missiles) as outcomes.

High-confidence PYQs

2025Conceptual understanding, Application of economic principles

Suppose the revenue expenditure is ₹80,000 crores and the revenue receipts of the Government are ₹60,000 crores. The Government budget also shows borrowings ...

EconomyOpen question
2022Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

With reference to the expenditure made by an organisation or a company, which of the following statements is/are correct ? 1. Acquiring new technology is ca...

EconomyOpen question
2019Statement-based questions, Factual recall

With reference to India’s Five-Year Plans, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. From the Second Five-Year Plan, there was a determined thrus...

EconomyOpen question
2018Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

Consider the following statements 1. The quantity of imported edible oils is more than the domestic production of edible oils in the last five years. 2. The ...

EconomyOpen question

With reference to the governance of public sector banking in India, consider the following statements 1. Capital infusion into public sector banks by the Go...

EconomyOpen question
2018Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Consider the following statements 1. The quantity of imported edible oils is more than the domestic production of edible oils in the last five years. 2. The ...

EconomyOpen question

With reference to the governance of public sector banking in India, consider the following statements 1. Capital infusion into public sector banks by the Go...

EconomyOpen question
2016Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

Which of the following is/are included in the capital budget of the Government of India? 1. Expenditure on acquisition of assets like roads, buildings, machi...

EconomyOpen question

There has been a persistent deficit budget year after year. Which action/actions of the following can be taken by the Government to reduce the deficit? 1. R...

EconomyOpen question
2016Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

Which of the following is/are included in the capital budget of the Government of India? 1. Expenditure on acquisition of assets like roads, buildings, machi...

EconomyOpen question

There has been a persistent deficit budget year after year. Which action/actions of the following can be taken by the Government to reduce the deficit? 1. R...

EconomyOpen question
2015Conceptual understanding, Policy measures

There has been a persistent deficit budget year after year. Which of the following actions can be taken by the government to reduce the deficit? 1. Reducing ...

EconomyOpen question

Topic timeline

Indian Economy
Prelims 2015· Conceptual understanding, Policy measures

There has been a persistent deficit budget year after year. Which of the following actions can be taken by the government to reduce the deficit? 1. Reducing ...

Open question
Prelims 2016· Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

Which of the following is/are included in the capital budget of the Government of India? 1. Expenditure on acquisition of assets like roads, buildings, machi...

Open question

There has been a persistent deficit budget year after year. Which action/actions of the following can be taken by the Government to reduce the deficit? 1. R...

Open question
Prelims 2016· Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

Which of the following is/are included in the capital budget of the Government of India? 1. Expenditure on acquisition of assets like roads, buildings, machi...

Open question

There has been a persistent deficit budget year after year. Which action/actions of the following can be taken by the Government to reduce the deficit? 1. R...

Open question
Prelims 2018· Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

Consider the following statements 1. The quantity of imported edible oils is more than the domestic production of edible oils in the last five years. 2. The ...

Open question

With reference to the governance of public sector banking in India, consider the following statements 1. Capital infusion into public sector banks by the Go...

Open question
Prelims 2018· Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Consider the following statements 1. The quantity of imported edible oils is more than the domestic production of edible oils in the last five years. 2. The ...

Open question

With reference to the governance of public sector banking in India, consider the following statements 1. Capital infusion into public sector banks by the Go...

Open question
Prelims 2019· Statement-based questions, Factual recall

With reference to India’s Five-Year Plans, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. From the Second Five-Year Plan, there was a determined thrus...

Open question
Prelims 2022· Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

With reference to the expenditure made by an organisation or a company, which of the following statements is/are correct ? 1. Acquiring new technology is ca...

Open question
Prelims 2025· Conceptual understanding, Application of economic principles

Suppose the revenue expenditure is ₹80,000 crores and the revenue receipts of the Government are ₹60,000 crores. The Government budget also shows borrowings ...

Open question

Defence production rises nearly four-fold to ₹1.78 lakh crore, says Rajnath Singh

15 Aug 2026 · India's defence indigenisation policy, driven by 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat', aims for self-reliance in defence through increased domestic production, exports, R&D investment, and procurement reforms, significantly boosting the defence sector's economic contribution and strategic capabilities.

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Related topics

Current topic

Defence Indigenisation and Self-Reliance

Often confused with

India's Foreign Policy Principles and Evolution

Open notes

Practice writing on this topic

UPSC has asked 8 linked questions on Defence Indigenisation and Self-Reliance in Mains. Write an answer to one — and get it evaluated.

See Mains PYQsEvaluate an answer

UPSC Prelims PYQs on Defence Indigenisation and Self-Reliance

Practice official previous year questions asked by UPSC related to this concept.

Which of the following is/are included in the capital budget of the Government of India? 1. Expenditure on acquisition of assets like roads, buildings, machi...

2016·Economy
Solve

Consider the following statements 1. The quantity of imported edible oils is more than the domestic production of edible oils in the last five years. 2. The ...

2018·Economy
Solve

With reference to the expenditure made by an organisation or a company, which of the following statements is/are correct ? 1. Acquiring new technology is ca...

2022·Economy
Solve

There has been a persistent deficit budget year after year. Which of the following actions can be taken by the government to reduce the deficit? 1. Reducing ...

2015·Economy
Solve

With reference to the governance of public sector banking in India, consider the following statements 1. Capital infusion into public sector banks by the Go...

2018·Economy
Solve

There has been a persistent deficit budget year after year. Which action/actions of the following can be taken by the Government to reduce the deficit? 1. R...

2016·Economy
Solve

Suppose the revenue expenditure is ₹80,000 crores and the revenue receipts of the Government are ₹60,000 crores. The Government budget also shows borrowings ...

2025·Economy
Solve

With reference to India’s Five-Year Plans, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. From the Second Five-Year Plan, there was a determined thrus...

2019·Economy
Solve

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